1
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf people
the deaf community
also
: of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf culture
deaf education
2
: unwilling to hear or listen : not to be persuaded
… when men are determined on mutiny, they are deaf to reason.—
Washington Irving
Washington IrvingExamples of deaf in a Sentence
He has been deaf since birth.
She's completely deaf in her right ear.
He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.
Recent Examples on the Web
Another great Mel moment: Sylvia (Becki Hayes) arrives at the hospital with her son Omar (Joe Saraceni), who is deaf.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Struggling for inclusion To Akanksha Kamble, this shot of Jyoti Saroj, who is deaf, in front of a chalkboard is more than just a photo.
—Charu Bahri, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
An open layout allows for better visual communication and awareness of one’s surroundings, and some deaf individuals modified their kitchen and living spaces to facilitate more room for social gatherings and signing.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Teresa quickly learned sign language to communicate with Connelly's son Brendan, who is deaf.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaf
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Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2025
Struggling for inclusion To Akanksha Kamble, this shot of Jyoti Saroj, who is deaf, in front of a chalkboard is more than just a photo.
—Charu Bahri, NPR, 15 Mar. 2025
An open layout allows for better visual communication and awareness of one’s surroundings, and some deaf individuals modified their kitchen and living spaces to facilitate more room for social gatherings and signing.
—Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 7 Feb. 2025
Teresa quickly learned sign language to communicate with Connelly's son Brendan, who is deaf.
—Suzanne Nuyen, NPR, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for deaf
Cite this Entry
“Deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deaf. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deaf
adjective1
: wholly or partly unable to hear
2
: unwilling to hear or listen
deaf to all suggestions
deafness
noun
Medical Definition
deaf
adjective
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf adults
also
: of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf education
deafness
noun
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